| History | | | | Bangers, Bombers and Rookie Bangers - and racing |
| The beginning of racing | | | | features Demolitions Derbies, Figure of Eight racing and |
| Racing began soon after the construction of the first | | | | Oval Racing |
| successful petrol-fueled automobiles. The first race | | | | Semi Contact Formulas include BriSCA F1, F2 and |
| ever organized was on April 28, 1887 by the chief | | | | Superstox - where bumpers are used tactically. |
| editor of Paris publication Le Vlocipde, Monsieur | | | | Non-contact formulas include National Hot Rods, Stock |
| Fossier.[citation needed] It ran 2 kilometers from Neuilly | | | | Rods and Lightning Rods. |
| Bridge to the Bois de Boulogne. It was won by | | | | UK Stock car racing started in the 1950s and grew |
| Georges Bouton, in a car he had constructed with | | | | rapidly through the 60s and 70s. |
| Albert, the Comte de Dion, but as he was the only | | | | Rallying |
| competitor to show up it is rather difficult to call it a | | | | Main article: Rallying |
| race. | | | | A Ford Escort RS Cosworth, driven by Malcolm |
| Paris-Rouen. World's first motor-race | | | | Wilson on a stage rally. |
| Georges Lematre classified 1st in his Peugeot 3hp | | | | Rallying, or rally racing, involves two classes of car. |
| On July 22 1894, the Parisian magazine Le Petit Journal | | | | The modified Group A, but road legal, production-based |
| organised what is considered to be the world's first car | | | | cars and the Group N Production cars compete on |
| race from Paris to Rouen,[n 1] sporting events were a | | | | (closed) public roads or off-road areas run on a |
| tried and tested form of publicity stunt and circulation | | | | point-to-point format where participants and their |
| booster. Pierre Giffard, the paper's editor, promoted it | | | | co-drivers "rally" to a set of points, leaving in regular |
| as a Competition for Horeseless Carriages (Concours | | | | intervals from start points. A rally is typically conducted |
| des Voitures sans Chevaux) that were not dangerous, | | | | over a number of "special stages" of any terrain, which |
| easy to drive, and cheap during the journey. Thus it | | | | entrants are often allowed to scout beforehand at |
| blurred the distinctions between a reliability trial, a | | | | reduced speeds compiling detailed shorthand |
| general event and a race, but the main prize was for | | | | descriptions of the track or road as they go. These |
| the first across the finish line in Rouen. 102 people paid | | | | detailed descriptions are known as "pace notes." |
| the 10 franc entrance fee. | | | | During the actual rally, the co-driver reads the pace |
| 69 cars started the 50km selection event that would | | | | notes aloud (using an in-helmet intercom system) to |
| show which entrants would be allowed to start the | | | | the driver, enabling them to complete each stage as |
| main event, the 127 km race from Paris to Rouen. The | | | | quickly as possible. Competition is based on lowest |
| entrants ranged from serious manufacturers like | | | | total elapsed time over the course of an event's |
| Peugeot, Panhard or De Dion to amateur owners, and | | | | special stages, including penalties. |
| only 25 were selected for the main race. | | | | The top series is the World Rally Championship |
| The race started from Porte Maillot and went through | | | | (WRC), but there also regional championships and |
| the Bois de Boulogne. Count Jules-Albert de Dion was | | | | many countries have their own national championships. |
| first into Rouen after 6 hours and 48 minutes at an | | | | Some famous rallies include the Monte Carlo Rally, |
| average speed of 19kmph. He finished 330 ahead of | | | | Rally Argentina, Rally Finland and Rally GB. Another |
| Georges Lematre (Peugeot), followed by Doriot | | | | famous event (actually best described as a "rally raid") |
| (Peugeot) at 1630, Ren Panhard (Panhard) at 3330 | | | | is the Paris-Dakar Rally. There are also many smaller, |
| and mile Levassor (Panhard) at 5530. The official | | | | club level, categories of rallies which are popular with |
| winners were Peugeot and Panhard as cars were | | | | amateurs, making up the "grass roots" of motor sports. |
| judged on their speed, handling and safety | | | | Rallying is the most widely used sport around the |
| characteristics, and De Dion's steam car needed a | | | | world as it can race on any circuit type. As well as the |
| stoker which was forbidden. | | | | WRC other major rally events include the British Rally |
| Early races | | | | Championship, Intercontinental Rally Challenge, African |
| In 1895, the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris Trial was held and | | | | Rally Championship, Asia-Pacific Rally Championship |
| this was the first real race as all competitors started | | | | and endurance rally events like the Dakar Rally. |
| together. The winner was mile Levassor in his | | | | Targa Racing (Targa Rally) |
| Panhard-Levassor 1205 cc model. He completed the | | | | Main article: Rallying |
| course (1,178 km or 732 miles) in 48 hours and 47 | | | | A Toyota MR2 , driven by Adam Spence in the 2006 |
| minutes, finishing nearly six hours before the runner-up. | | | | Targa Tasmania prologue stage. |
| The first regular auto racing venue was Nice, France, | | | | Targa is a tarmac-based road rally which is run all |
| run in late March 1897 as a "Speed Week." To fill out | | | | around the world. This began with the Targa Florio. |
| the schedule, most types of racing event were | | | | There are many races including Targa Tasmania held |
| invented here, including the first hill climb (Nice - La | | | | on the Australian island state of Tasmania run annually |
| Turbie) and a sprint that was, in spirit, the first drag | | | | since 1992. The event takes its name from the Targa |
| race. | | | | Florio, a former motoring event held on the island of |
| An international competition, between nations rather | | | | Sicily. The competition concept is drawn directly from |
| than individuals, began with the Gordon Bennett Cup in | | | | the best features of the Mille Miglia, the Coupe des |
| auto racing. | | | | Alpes and the Tour de Corse. Other events around |
| The first auto race in the United States took place in | | | | the world include the Targa Newfoundland based in |
| Chicago, Illinois. The course went from the South side | | | | Canada, Targa West based in Western Australia, |
| of the city, North along the lakefront to Evanston, Illinois | | | | Targa New Zealand and other smaller events. |
| and back again on November 28, 1895 over a 54.36 | | | | Drag racing |
| mile(87.48 km) course, with Frank Duryea winning in 10 | | | | Main article: Drag racing |
| hours and 23 minutes, beating three petrol-fueled and | | | | In drag racing, the objective is to complete a given |
| two electric cars. | | | | straight-line distance, from a standing start, ahead of a |
| City to city racing | | | | vehicle in a parallel lane. This distance is traditionally mile |
| Fernand Gabriel driving a Mors in Paris-Madrid 1903 | | | | (400 m), though 1/8 mile (200 m) has become popular |
| With auto construction and racing dominated by | | | | since the 1990s. The vehicles may or may not be |
| France, the French automobile club ACF staged a | | | | given the signal to start at the same time, depending |
| number of major international races, usually from or to | | | | on the class of racing. Vehicles range from the |
| Paris, connecting with another major city in Europe or | | | | everyday car to the purpose-built dragster. Speeds |
| France. | | | | and elapsed time differ from class to class. Average |
| These very successful races ended in 1903 when | | | | street cars cover the mile in from 10 to 15 seconds |
| Marcel Renault was involved in a fatal accident near | | | | whereas a top fuel dragster takes 4.5 seconds or |
| Angouleme in the Paris-Madrid race. Nine fatalities | | | | less, reaching speeds of up to 530 km/h (330 mph). |
| caused the French government to stop the race in | | | | Drag racing was organized as a sport by Wally Parks |
| Bordeaux and ban open-road racing.[citation needed] | | | | in the early 1950s through the NHRA (National Hot Rod |
| The first purpose built racing circuits | | | | Association). The NHRA was formed to discourage |
| The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest motor racing track in | | | | street racing. |
| the world, with racing being held there since 1903. It | | | | Launching, a top fuel dragster will accelerate at 3.4 g |
| was not, however, purpose built for motor racing, | | | | (33 m/s), and when braking parachutes are deployed |
| starting life as a one-mile (1.6 km) horse racing track in | | | | the deceleration is 4 g (39 m/s), more than the Space |
| the 19th century. | | | | Shuttle experiences. A top fuel car can be heard over |
| A remaining section of the Brooklands track today | | | | 8 miles (13 km) away and generates a reading of 1.5 |
| Brooklands in Surrey, England was the first purpose | | | | to 2 on the Richter scale. |
| built motor racing venue, opening in June 1907. It | | | | Drag racing is two cars head-to-head, the winner |
| featured a 4.43 km concrete track with high-speed | | | | proceeding to the next round. Professional classes are |
| banked corners. Brooklands was also a centre of the | | | | all first to the finish line wins. Sportsman racing is |
| aviation industry, with Vickers setting up a factory and | | | | handicapped (slower car getting a head start) using an |
| aerodrome there during World War I. The racing circuit | | | | index (a lowest e.t. allowed), and cars running under |
| was closed in 1939 as war-time aircraft production | | | | (quicker than) their index "break out" and lose. The |
| took over. Damage done to the track during World | | | | slowest cars, bracket racers, are also handicapped, |
| War II meant the track never reopened for racing. | | | | but rather than an index, they use a "dial-in". Bracket |
| Brooklands seems to have been the inspiration for the | | | | racing has been viewed as the main cause of the loss |
| Indianapolis Speedway, which opened in 1909. | | | | of public interest in drag racing. People don't |
| 1910-1950 | | | | understand why the slower car wins or why |
| The 1930s saw the transformation from high-priced | | | | somebody needs to hit the brakes to avoid going too |
| road cars into pure racers, with Delage, Auto Union, | | | | fast. Many local tracks have also complained that |
| Mercedes-Benz, Delahaye, and Bugatti constructing | | | | bracket racers will also go out of their way to spend |
| streamlined vehicles with engines producing up to | | | | as little as possible while at the track by bringing their |
| 450 kW (612 hp), aided by multiple-stage | | | | own food, beverages, fuel and supplies thus, making it |
| supercharging. From 1928-1930 and again in 1934-1936, | | | | more difficult for tracks to make money on these |
| the maximum weight permitted was 750 kg, a rule | | | | events. This causes gate prices to rise and tracks |
| diametrically opposed to current racing regulations. | | | | losing interest in having such events. |
| Extensive use of aluminium alloys was required to | | | | Sports car racing |
| achieve light weight, and in the case of the Mercedes, | | | | Main article: Sports car racing |
| the paint was removed to satisfy the weight limitation, | | | | The Audi R8 was one of the most successful sports |
| producing the famous Silver Arrows. | | | | prototypes ever made, seen here at Road Atlanta. |
| See: Grand Prix motor racing | | | | In sports car racing, production versions of sports cars |
| Categories | | | | and/or grand tourers, and sports prototype cars |
| Single-seater racing | | | | compete within their respective classes on closed |
| Main article: Open wheel car | | | | circuits. The races are often conducted over long |
| Modern Formula One car: McLaren MP4-24. Heikki | | | | distances, at least 1,000 km (621 mi), and cars are |
| Kovalainen testing at the Circuito de Jerez, 2009 | | | | driven by teams of two or three drivers (and |
| In single-seater (open-wheel) the wheels are not | | | | sometimes more in the US), switching every few |
| covered, and the cars often have aerofoil wings front | | | | hours. Due to the performance difference between |
| and rear to produce downforce and enhance | | | | production-based sports cars and purpose-built sports |
| adhesion to the track. In Europe and Asia, open | | | | prototypes, one race usually involves several racing |
| wheeled racing is commonly referred to as "Formula", | | | | classes. In the US the American Le Mans Series |
| with appropriate hierarchical suffixes. In North America, | | | | (ALMS) was organized in 1999, featuring GT1, GT2, |
| the "Formula" terminology is not followed (with the | | | | and two prototype classes, LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype |
| exception of F1). The sport is usually arranged to | | | | 1) and LMP2. Manufacturers such as Audi and Acura |
| follow an "international" format (such as F1), a "regional" | | | | Honda field or support entries in the Prototype class. |
| format (such as the Formula 3 Euro Series), or a | | | | Another series based on Le Mans began in 2004, the |
| "domestic", or country-specific format (such as the | | | | Le Mans Endurance Series, which included four |
| German Formula 3 championship, or the British Formula | | | | 1,000 km (621 mi) races at tracks in Europe. A |
| Ford). | | | | competing body, Grand-Am, which began in 2000, |
| The best-known variety of single-seater racing, | | | | sanctions its own endurance series the Rolex Sports |
| Formula One, involves an annual World Championship | | | | Car Series. |
| for drivers and constructors | | | | Famous sports car races include the 24 Hours of Le |
| In North America, the cars used in the National | | | | Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of |
| Championship (currently the IndyCar Series, and | | | | Spa-Franchorchamps, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the |
| previously CART) have traditionally been similar though | | | | 1,000-mile (1,600 km) Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. |
| less sophisticated than F1 cars, with more restrictions | | | | Off-road racing |
| on technology aimed at controlling costs. | | | | Main article: Off-road racing |
| Formula Three car racing at the Hockenheimring, 2008 | | | | In off-road racing, various classes of specially modified |
| Other international single-seater racing series are the | | | | vehicles, including cars, compete in races through |
| A1 Grand Prix (unofficially often referred to as the | | | | off-road environments. In North America these races |
| "world cup of motorsport"), and the GP2 (formerly | | | | often take place in the desert, such as the famous |
| known as Formula 3000 and Formula Two). Regional | | | | Baja 1000. In Europe, "offroad" refers to events such |
| series include Formula Nippon and Formula V6 Asia | | | | as autocross or rallycross, while desert races and |
| (specifically in Asia), Formula Renault 3.5 (also known | | | | rally-raids such as the Paris-Dakar, Master Rallye or |
| as the World Series by Renault, succession series of | | | | European "bajas" are called "cross-country rallies." |
| World Series by Nissan), Formula Three, Formula | | | | Kart racing |
| Palmer Audi and Formula Atlantic. In 2009, the FIA | | | | Main article: Kart racing |
| Formula Two Championship brought about the revival | | | | A sprint kart race in Atwater California hosted by the |
| of the F2 series. Domestic, or country-specific series | | | | International Karting Federation. |
| include Formula Three, Formula Renault, Formula Ford | | | | Although often seen as the entry point for serious |
| with the leading introductory series being Formula | | | | racers into the sport, kart racing, or karting, can be an |
| BMW. | | | | economical way for amateurs to try racing and is also |
| Single seater racing is not limited merely to professional | | | | a fully fledged international sport in its own right. A |
| teams and drivers. There is a large amateur 'club | | | | large proportion of professional racing drivers began in |
| racing' scene catering for those who want to race | | | | karts, often from a very young age, such as Michael |
| single seaters against similar people all over the world. | | | | Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. Several former |
| In the UK the major club series are the Monoposto | | | | motorcycle champions have also taken up the sport, |
| Racing Club, BRSCC F3 (Formerly ClubF3, formerly | | | | notably Wayne Rainey, who was paralysed in a racing |
| ARP F3), Formula Vee and Club Formula Ford. Each | | | | accident and now races a hand-controlled kart. As |
| series caters for a section of the 'market', with some | | | | one of the cheapest ways to go racing, karting is |
| primarily providing low cost racing whilst others aim for | | | | seeing its popularity grow worldwide. |
| an authentic experience using the same regulations as | | | | Despite their diminutive size, karting's most powerful |
| the professional series (BRSCC F3). | | | | class, superkart, can have a power-to-weight ratio of |
| There are other categories of single-seater racing, | | | | 440 hp/tonne. |
| including kart racing, which employs a small, low-cost | | | | Historical racing |
| machine on small tracks. Many of the current top | | | | Main article: Historic motorsport |
| drivers began their careers in karts. Formula Ford once | | | | Laguna Seca, Monterey, 2008 |
| represented a popular first open-wheel category for | | | | As modern motor racing is centered on modern |
| up-and-coming drivers stepping up from karts and now | | | | technology with a lots of corporate sponsors and |
| the Formula BMW series is the preferred option as it | | | | politics involved, historical racing tends to be the |
| has introduced an aero package and slicks, allowing | | | | opposite. Because it is based on a particular era it is |
| the junior drivers to gain experience in a race car with | | | | more hobbyist oriented, reducing corporate |
| dynamics closer F1. The Star Mazda Series is another | | | | sponsorship and politics. Events are regulated to only |
| entry level series. | | | | allow cars of a certain era to participate. The only |
| Students at colleges and universities can also take part | | | | modern equipment used is related to safety and timing. |
| in single seater racing through the Formula SAE | | | | A historical event can be of various different |
| competition, which involves designing and building a | | | | motorsport disciplines. Notably some of the most |
| single seater car in a multidisciplinary team, and racing it | | | | famous events of them all are the Goodwood Festival |
| at the competition. This also develops other soft skills | | | | of Speed and Goodwood Revival in Britain and |
| such as teamwork whilst promoting motorsport and | | | | Monterey Historic in the United States. Championships |
| engineering. | | | | range from "grass root" Austin Seven racing to the |
| In 2006, producer Todd Baker was responsible for | | | | FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix Championship for classic |
| creating the world's first all-female Formula racing | | | | Formula One chassis. |
| team. The group was an assemblage of drivers from | | | | While there are several professional teams and drivers |
| different racing disciplines, and formed for an MTV | | | | in historical racing, this branch of auto sport tends to be |
| reality pilot which was shot at Mazda Raceway | | | | contested by wealthy car owners and is thus more |
| Laguna Seca. | | | | amateur and laid back in its approach. |
| In December, 2005 the FIA gave approval to | | | | Other categories |
| Superleague Formula racing which debuted in 2008 | | | | See also Category:Auto racing by type |
| whereby the racing teams are owned and run by | | | | Autocross |
| prominent sports clubs such as AC Milan and Liverpool | | | | Autograss |
| F.C.. | | | | Banger racing |
| After 25 years away from the sport, former Formula | | | | Board track racing |
| 2 champion Jonathan Palmer reopened the F2 | | | | Demolition derby |
| category again, most drivers have graduated from the | | | | Dirt speedway racing |
| Formula Palmer Audi series. The category is officially | | | | Dirt track racing |
| registered as the FIA Formla Two championship. Most | | | | Drifting |
| rounds have two races and are support races to the | | | | Folkrace |
| FIA World Touring Car Championship. | | | | High Performance Drivers Education |
| Touring car racing | | | | Hillclimbing |
| Main article: Touring car racing | | | | Ice racing |
| World Touring Car Championship 2006: Andy Priaulx | | | | Legends car racing |
| leads at Curitiba. | | | | Midget car racing |
| Touring car racing is a style of road racing that is run | | | | Mini Sprint |
| with production derived race cars. It often features | | | | Monster truck |
| full-contact racing due to the small speed differentials | | | | Pickup truck racing |
| and large grids. | | | | Rallycross |
| The major touring car championships conducted | | | | Road racing |
| worldwide are the V8 Supercars (Australia), British | | | | Short track motor racing |
| Touring Car Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen | | | | Slalom |
| Masters (DTM), and the World Touring Car | | | | Sprint car racing |
| Championship. The European Touring Cup is a one day | | | | Sprinting |
| event open to Super 2000 specification touring cars | | | | Time Attack |
| from Europe's many national championships. Another | | | | Truck racing |
| World series is the FIA GT Championship, which | | | | Wheelstand Competition |
| features the Spa 24 Hours on their schedule. There is | | | | Use of flags |
| also the FIA GT3 that takes place in races across | | | | Main article: Racing flags |
| Europe as well as the less powerful GT4's. Other GT | | | | In many types of auto races, particularly those held on |
| championships include the British GT championship for | | | | closed courses, flags are displayed to indicate the |
| GT3 and GT4 cars, Super GT and International GT | | | | general status of the track and to communicate |
| open. | | | | instructions to competitors. While individual series have |
| The Sports Car Club of America's SPEED World | | | | different rules, and the flags have changed from the |
| Challenge Touring Car and GT championships are | | | | first years (e.g. red used to start a race), these are |
| dominant in North America. America's historic | | | | generally accepted. |
| Trans-Am Series is undergoing a period of transition, | | | | Flag |
| but is still the longest-running road racing series in the | | | | Displayed from start tower |
| U.S. The National Auto Sport Association also provides | | | | Displayed from observation post |
| a venue for amateurs to compete in home-built | | | | The session has started or resumed after a full course |
| factory derived vehicles on various local circuits. | | | | caution or stop. |
| Production car racing | | | | End of hazardous section of track. |
| Production car racing or known in the US as | | | | Full course caution condition for ovals. On road |
| showroom stock, is an economical and rules restricted | | | | courses, it means a local area of caution. Depending |
| version of touring car racing, mainly to restrict costs. | | | | on the type of racing, either two yellow flags will be |
| Many series follow the Group N regulation with a few | | | | used for a full course caution or a sign with 'SC' |
| exceptions. There are several different series that are | | | | (Safety car) will be used as the field follows the pace |
| run all over the world, most notably, Japan's Super | | | | safety car on track and no cars may pass. |
| Taikyu and IMSA's Firehawk Series which ran | | | | Local caution condition no cars may pass at the |
| between the 1980s to 1990s all over the United States. | | | | particular corner where being displayed. When |
| One-make racing | | | | Stationary indicates hazard off-course, when Waving |
| See also: One-Design | | | | indicates hazard on-course. |
| One-make, or single marque, championships often | | | | Debris, fluid, or other hazard on the track surface. |
| employ production-based cars from a single | | | | Debris, fluid, or other hazard on the track surface. |
| manufacturer or even a single model from a | | | | The car with the indicated number must pit for |
| manufacturer's range. There are numerous notable | | | | consultation. |
| one-make formulae from various countries and | | | | The session is halted, all cars on course must return to |
| regions, some of which such as the Porsche Supercup | | | | pit lane. May also be seen combined with a green flag |
| and, previously, IROC have fostered many distinct | | | | to indicate oil on track, typically referred to as a 'pickle' |
| national championships. Single marque series are often | | | | flag combination. |
| found at club level, to which the production-based cars, | | | | The car with the indicated number has mechanical |
| limited modifications, and close parity in performance | | | | trouble and must pit. |
| are very well suited. Some of the better-known | | | | The driver of the car with the indicated number has |
| single-make series are the Radical European Masters, | | | | been penalized for misbehaviour. |
| SEAT Cupra Championship, John Cooper Mini | | | | The driver of the car with the indicated number is |
| Challenge, and Clio Cup, and at a more modest budget, | | | | disqualified or will not be scored until they report to the |
| Ginettas, Caterhams, BMWs, and MX5s. There are | | | | pits. |
| also single-chassis single seater formulae, such as | | | | The car should give way to faster traffic. Depending |
| Formula Ford, Formula Renault, Formula BMW, and | | | | on the series this may be a command or merely |
| Formula Vee, usually as "feeder" series for "senior" | | | | advisory. |
| race formula (in the fashion of farm teams). | | | | A car is being advised to give way to faster traffic |
| Stock car racing | | | | approaching. |
| Practice for the Daytona 500. | | | | The session is stopped. All cars must halt on the track |
| Main article: Stock car racing | | | | or return to pit lane. |
| Stock car racing is the most popular form of racing in | | | | Depending on the series, either one lap remains or a |
| the United States. | | | | slow vehicle is on the track. |
| Primarily raced on oval tracks, stock cars resemble | | | | A slow vehicle is on the track. |
| production cars but are in fact purpose-built racing | | | | The session has concluded. |
| machines which are built to tight specifications. | | | | Accidents |
| The largest stock car racing governing body is | | | | For the worst accident in racing history see 1955 Le |
| NASCAR. NASCAR's premier series is the Sprint Cup | | | | Mans disaster. (See also Deaths in motorsports) |
| Series, its most famous races being the Daytona 500 | | | | Racing car setup |
| and the Brickyard 400. NASCAR also runs several | | | | Main article: Racing setup |
| feeder series. The Nationwide Series, and Camping | | | | In auto racing, the racing setup or car setup is the set |
| World Truck Series (a pickup truck racing series) | | | | of adjustments made to the vehicle in order to |
| conduct races across the entire continental United | | | | optimize its behaviour (performance, handling, reliability, |
| States. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series conducts | | | | etc.). Adjustments can occur in suspensions, brakes, |
| races across Canada and the NASCAR Corona | | | | transmissions, engines, tires, and many others. |
| Series conducts races across Mexico. NASCAR also | | | | See also |
| governs several smaller regional series. | | | | List of auto racing tracks |
| NASCAR also governs the Whelen Modified Tour. | | | | Motorcycle racing |
| Modified cars are best described as hybrids of stock | | | | Race track |
| cars and open-wheel cars. They are heavily altered | | | | Racing game |
| from stock, with powerful engines, large tires, tubular | | | | Notes |
| chassis and light bodies. The Whelen Modified tour is | | | | ^ A previous motoring event had been held in 1887 but |
| NASCAR's oldest series. | | | | received only a single entrant. Georges Bouton and his |
| A World of Outlaws late model stock car on a dirt | | | | passenger the Comte Jules-Albert de Dion had |
| track. | | | | completed the 2 mile drive from the Bois de Boulogne |
| There are also other stock car governing bodies, such | | | | to Porte Maillot in a steam powered vehicle of their |
| as Automobile Racing Club of America and United | | | | own manufacture, the genesis of the De Dion-Bouton. |
| Speed Alliance Racing. | | | | References |
| In the UK, British Stock car racing is also referred to as | | | | ^ a b c Forix, Autosport, 8W - Welcome to Who? |
| "Short Circuit Racing". This takes place on shale or | | | | What? Where? When? Why? on the World Wide |
| tarmac tracks - usually around 1/4 mile in length. The | | | | Web. The cradle of motorsport by Rmi Paolozzi, May |
| governing bodies for the sport are the Oval Racing | | | | 28, 2003 |
| Council (ORC) and BriSCA. Both bodies are made up | | | | ^ Historic Racing |
| of individual stadium promoters. There are around 35 | | | | ^ "How Brooklands started". Autocar 127 (nbr 3731): |
| tracks in the UK and upwards of 7000 active drivers. | | | | page 43. 17 August 1967. |
| The sport is split into three basic "divisions" - | | | | ^ "Addition of IndyCar champ Hornish will give Penske |
| distinguished by the rules regarding car-contact during | | | | third Cup team" Retrieved February 8, 2009 |
| racing. The most famous championship is the BriSCA | | | | ^ NHRA Mile High Nationals 2001, and 2002 testing |
| Formula One stock cars. Full contact formulas include | | | | from the National Seismology Center. |